[Indio777]

Originally Posted by ATDrake

Barbara Hambly is one of my favourite authors, and I quite literally own nearly everything she's written (minus media tie-in novels) in two languages.

Yes! A Hambly fan! But much better informed than I. Good.

However, the "Dragonsbane" series (technically grouped as the Winterlands books) runs to four volumes thus far, and I really, really wouldn't call them "lighter", considering the direction the follow-up trilogy takes. (Basically, if one thought that Darwath sounded too grimdark, the demon queen portion of the Winterlands saga goes much, much grimdarker.)

Was not aware of further volumes in that series. Thanks. Dark is not bad at all. But from what you say, can see why it might not be a great series to start off with for those who do not prefer that.

For prospective readers who want a more optimistic series with more romance-y elements in them, I highly recommend Bride of the Rat God (standalone set in 20s Hollywood)

Thought about mentioning that one, but I thought it was too "different" from rest of work. It was fun but ... I read it, enjoyed it, but wanted something more.

The Windrose Chronicles (80s era computer programmer kidnapped to a Regency-esque magical world) and the standalone sequel (follows a different character in the same world and can be read alone)

Yes, in retrospect, that series should have perhaps been a first-time recommendation.

Stranger at the Wedding, which is an excellent mystery w/strong romantic elements, and the Sun Wolf and Starhawk books, which feature a more classical fantasy setting amidst a mercenary group.

"Stranger" is good. I thought about mentioning the Sun Wolf books but found the last one a bit tedious at times. Still good though. To the point where I would not have minded more.

The Asher & Ysidro novels got picked up not because of the vampire craze recurrence (or at least not solely because of that), but because Hambly's Benjamin January novels (excellent and recommended to those who haven't tried them before) have done so well with the sales in their Severn House revival that the new publisher which is known for doing mainly mysteries went and offered a contract to pick up and continue the Asher books because they were her most mystery/suspense-ish available series and thus more likely to be commercially viable (apparently the bottom has kind of dropped out of the epic fantasy market).

Yes the bottom seems to have dropped out. I have problems with it: many are same old ploys and part of a series. Can no one write a solid single-volume standalone book? I guess not. Does the market discourage it? Perhaps so. Seems seems to be..

Glad to hear new Asher books are seem to be released based on merits and not part of "craze".

I agree, the Benjamin series is very good..

In the meantime, if you've ever had a burning desire to read some follow-ups to her classic fantasies, one can pick up new novellas written in her old universes directly from the author, who's been writing and selling them directly from her website as The Further Adventures Of (a little pricey, at $5 a pop, but they do support the author directly).

Will look into it. Thanks.

For prospective readers who want a more optimistic series with more romance-y elements in them, I highly recommend Bride of the Rat God (standalone set in 20s Hollywood), The Windrose Chronicles (80s era computer programmer kidnapped to a Regency-esque magical world) and the standalone sequel (follows a different character in the same world and can be read alone) Stranger at the Wedding, which is an excellent mystery w/strong romantic elements, and the Sun Wolf and Starhawk books, which feature a more classical fantasy setting amidst a mercenary group.

The Asher & Ysidro novels got picked up not because of the vampire craze recurrence (or at least not solely because of that), but because Hambly's Benjamin January novels (excellent and recommended to those who haven't tried them before) have done so well with the sales in their Severn House revival that the new publisher which is known for doing mainly mysteries went and offered a contract to pick up and continue the Asher books because they were her most mystery/suspense-ish available series and thus more likely to be commercially viable

Hope it works out for her.

Edit: several; formatting issues. sorry.